"Vivi, today you four years old." Quan stated to the little mage sitting on the stone table in their home. "What you want do today?"
He thought for a moment. "Um, I-I wanna go to-"
"No, we not go to Treno." Quan had obviously been anticipating the question. "…Maybe next birthday."
Vivi sagged a bit, but suddenly hopped down off the table. "Grandpa, c-can you take me somewhere else then? You told me out those other places, like Alexandria and Lindblum, can we go there?"
Quan considered this for a moment. "Alexandria not far, but very expensive to get there, but I not want take you through Mist either. Dangerous monsters there…"
"I wanna go somewhere, though…" he said sadly.
"I know, but we start small. …Maybe we go down to beach?"
Does he mean the beach under the ledge?
Vivi shuddered a bit thinking of how far down the beach looked from up there. He found he could barely handle high places anymore. Quan had been trying to help him get over it, but that was easier said than done.
"H-how’d we get down there?" Vivi asked.
"There path down side of mountain. It not too far from here. I not have many reason to go, but if Vivi want to…"
"U-um, I want to!" he said quickly. "…What’s a beach like, anyway?"
"Beach where land meet ocean. There lots of sand and water. Maybe we catch tasty fish, too."
"Can we go now?" Vivi asked excitedly.
The beach sounds neat… And it’s really low so I won’t have to be afraid of falling!
He giggled quietly.
"I just pack us lunch, then we go." Quan replied.
It wasn’t very far from the cave to the path. The path was stair-like and obviously man (or man-like) made, and someone had even put railings at certain points. The way down took considerably longer than it took getting there.
Vivi made sure to stay close to the side of the path near the rock.
"Vivi have nothing to be afraid of!" Quan said, shaking his head.
"I-I know but I still feel like I’m gonna f-f-fall…"
"Just no look down. Pretend on normal ground." He suggested, continuing ahead on the path.
Vivi took a deep breath, and adjusted his hat.
Okay… I’m not really high up… I’m on normal ground, just down go and look over the edge-
Of course, he did anyway, and stumbled back against the rock wall.
If I don’t go all the way down, I’ll never see the beach…
That thought seemed to help motivate him, and he went to catch up with Quan.
From the beach, the ocean somehow seemed bigger than up on the high ledge. That’s what Vivi was thinking, anyways, as he stood on the sands looking out at the water.
Wow… I like the beach already! I wonder why we never came here before?
Quan, a bit tired from the walk, went to sit on a rock. "You stay where I see you!" he shouted.
"Okay!" Vivi called back. He walked up to where a few inches of water rushed up the sands as the waves crashed further out.
I wonder why the water does that? It looks like it’s alive or something… But water isn’t alive, is it?
He quickly went to ask Quan.
"Grandpa?"
"Hmm?" Quan looked up from unpacking the basket of food he had brought.
"Why’s the water moving like that?"
"You mean the waves? The wind make waves."
"Oh!" Vivi turned toward the water again. "Can I go in the water?"
"Yes, Vivi can, but not far! Tide can pull you very far out into water."
Vivi started to look a bit less enthusiastic about the idea, which Quan noticed.
"It not dangerous if Vivi stay close to shore. I watch, make sure you safe."
"Th-thanks Grandpa!" Vivi said cheerfully, running back to the water’s edge. Of course, he tripped, and got a face full of sand.
"…Vivi okay?"
"I’m okay…" he said, getting up and brushing off the sand.
At least sand’s softer to fall on than rock…
Quan sighed, then munched on one of the snacks he brought.
Vivi approached the water again. He spotted something sticking out of the sand and picked it up. It was some sort of spiral-shaped shell.
"I wonder what this is…?" he said to himself. He put it in his pocket to show Quan later.
A particurally large wave sent a few inches of water suddenly rushing up towards him, and he jumped back, falling again.
I should probably take my boots off so they don’t get all wet…
He took them off after unbuckling them, and set them on a rock where he hoped the water wouldn’t get them. Then he ran (the sand was hot!), carefully, back down to the water. After rolling up the cuffs of his baggy pants as much as he could, he stepped out to where the shallow water was.
This feels nice! Hmm, maybe I can learn how to swim someday, too…
He was far from being brave enough to venture further into the water, and besides he really didn’t want his clothes getting all wet, so the little mage walked a bit down the beach to where he saw some rocks. He noticed a pool of water had collected among them, now out of reach of the waves, so he went to investigate.
Vivi knelt at the edge of the pool and peered in. There were more shell things, except some of them were moving. He even saw a few tiny fish swimming around.
He reached back into his pocket for the first spiral shell he found.
Wait… is there something inside?
He put one gloved finger in the opening at one end.
"Ow!" he cried out as something clamped down on it. Some sort of crab-like thing with one big claw had grabbed on. He shook his hand, trying to get it off. "Let go!" Vivi tried prying off the claw with his other hand, but he wasn’t able to get a grip.
I don’t wanna’ hurt it, and it’s really not hurting me… Maybe it’ll let go by itself?
The hermit crab seemed quite happy hanging onto his hand, though.
Maybe Grandpa can get it off!
Vivi walked back over to the Qu. He held up the hand with the crab on it.
"Oh, Vivi catch crab!" Quan exclaimed. "Or did crab catch Vivi?"
"C-can you please get it off?" Vivi asked.
"Crab taste good, I know good recipe." Quan said, trying to pull the crab off.
"But I don’t wanna eat it." Vivi said after the crab let go.
"Hmm? Why not?"
"I saw some other crabs in a pool. Um… m-maybe they’re its friends, and they’d be upset if we ate this one."
Quan considered this for a moment. "That sound odd, but maybe it true." He shrugged. "We have plenty food for lunch anyway."
Vivi took the crab (carefully) back down to the tidepool and put it in the water.
"There, now you should be happy." He said, watching as another crab approached the one he had just put in.
Maybe that’s one of its friends?
The other crab was a bit larger, but it’s shell home looked considerably smaller. It ran its antennae over the smaller one’s shell home. Vivi noticed the smaller one had retreated inside, blocking the entrance with its one big claw.
Or maybe it isn’t…?
Suddenly, the bigger crab reached in and grabbed the smaller one, yanking it from it’s shell. In a blink, the bigger crab jumped into the bigger shell!
"Oh!" Vivi exclaimed.
Why’d it just do that?
The defeated crab, not wanting to stay exposed, crawled into the other’s former shell, even though it was too small.
That wasn’t nice of it at all… Or maybe they’re supposed to do that? Yeah, Grandpa says animals fight over things a lot. But it still isn’t nice to steal someone’s house like that.
Vivi shook his head. He would have dwelled further on the subject, but was interupted as several large waves combined to send a few inches of water rushing up to the tidepool where he was, nearly knocking him off balance.
So much for keeping my clothes dry…
He shrugged. The sun was bright and he’d dry off in a short time anyway. Vivi looked back into the water. The wave had brought other things with it, such as an odd, brightly colored fish.
How pretty!
The fish swam through the pool a bit. As the fish opened its mouth to breathe, Vivi noted the many needle-like teeth it had.
I’d better keep my hands away from that one!
A tiny fish swam near the colorful one, and was snapped up in the jaws.
It just ate it!
The bigger fish began chasing after the smaller ones now, munching on any too slow.
It’s eating all the little fish. Sometimes Grandpa cooks fish, but I don’t think I ever thought that they used to be moving around like they are here…
He was starting to get a bit confused, so he walked back over to Quan again.
"You want eat now?" Quan asked.
Vivi realized he was rather hungry. "Um, yeah. But Grandpa, something’s confusing me…"
"What is it?"
"We eat fish, right?"
"Of course. Fish very tasty!"
"I saw another fish eating the little fish… The fish we eat used to be in the water and swimming around?"
"Yes. That bother you?"
"Y-yeah, but I-I’m not sure why it bothers me… You said it’s wrong to hurt things, and you shouldn’t and…"
"I see." Quan said, nodding. "Vivi very nice, not want to hurt. But living creatures need eat other creatures to live. It part of life. Not bad thing. Fish and things there so we eat and live. You understand?"
"Kind of…" he said, sticking one of his feet under the sand.
I think I do… Yeah, it makes sense… But what about…
"Does that mean they’re, um, that ‘dead’ thing?"
Quan nodded after a moment. "Yes, everything die sometime. It sad when some things die, but that how things are."
Vivi adjusted his hat again. "Oh…"
I’ll probably understand it all better when I know more stuff, maybe…
"That good." Quan retrieved some sandwiches from the basket, handing one to Vivi.
"Thanks." He said, sitting on another rock.
I like the beach. But there are still lots of places to see. I wonder what they’re like?
Quan had recently told him about different places on the Mist Continent, from the city of Alexandria, to the Ice Cavern and Evil Forest. He had even said their were other continents far away across the ocean that even he hadn’t been to.
I wonder if I’ll ever be able to go to those places…?
Finally. He would finally get to go!
Vivi could barely contain his excitement. It wasn’t just because that day he turned five. He was also going to be able to go to Treno!
I wonder what it’s like? Maybe I’ll meet people like Grandpa. I hope they’re nice…
Vivi was also quite happy with the other gift he had received from Quan. It was a small, carved wooden staff with a curl shape on top. It was simple, but he thought it was a great gift.
Grandpa said it was a Mage’s Staff, didn’t he? He said most mages use staves as weapons. Of course I’m not gonna’ use it to fight or anything!
"Okay Vivi, we go now. Remember, stay close! No wander off."
"I won’t." Vivi promised. The two of two headed through the forest to the nearby city. He liked the forest. Even though there were monsters, he knew he didn’t have to worry about them with his Grandpa there. He walked close to Quan, tripping over a tree root occasionally.
"Vivi need be careful." Quan said, shaking his head.
He adjusted his pointy hat. "It’s harder than it looks…"
I wonder what a city’s like… And why does Grandpa always say it’s so dangerous?
"Why’s Treno dangerous?" he asked.
"There many thieves there. They steal things."
"Steal?"
"Taking things not yours. You never steal, it wrong."
"Why do the people steal?"
"They not nice people, or they poor and want things."
"What does poor mean?"
"That mean they no have lot of money. They not have fancy things like rich people."
"Um, are we rich or poor?"
I think our home is pretty fancy. Grandpa owns lots of neat stuff.
"Hmm… not either. I have money, but I don’t buy many things. I find things I need."
"Oh." He said, not quite understanding. "How far is Treno now?"
"Not far."
After the left the forest, Vivi noticed it started getting dark quickly. He could have sworn it was earlier in the day…
"Why’s it dark now?"
"It always seem like night near Treno. I not know why."
Even Grandpa doesn’t know? I’m surprised!
Vivi spotted something big in the distance. Was that the city? He saw many lights, too. As they got closer, he could see many large shapes. There were lots of different ones.
Those must be people’s houses. I wonder what they look like inside?
They finally arrived at the front gate of the city, which was surrounded by a round wall. The gate swung open into a small square with a fountain to one side.
Vivi stared wide-eyed. As far as he could see were buildings of all shapes and sizes and designs, as well as tons of bright lights which made it seem like day out. There were also lots of people, who came in the same amount of variety. Two armored guards stood silently on either side of the gate.
"Gee…" he said after a moment. "This place is… big."
"Yes, Treno big place. You careful not get lost."
Quan walked over to a small road to the left. Vivi followed, trying to look around at everything at once. He nearly ran into a big, strange looking blonde man wearing raggy pants. The man scowled at him before walking off.
How do I tell if someone is a thief or not? Are they bad?
He remembered the day at the beach when he had seen the crab steal the other’s home.
People must be like that, too… But how come its okay for animals to steal stuff and not people?
"We just going to get few supplies today." Quan explained as they walked down a short flight of stairs. They came out onto a path on a grassy area. Vivi saw several tables with chairs around them, and many well-dressed people sitting there. He saw lots of people in fancy, colorful clothing.
Are these the rich people?
He followed Quan to one of the big buildings. As they entered, another person exited, a man in a weird hat and a cape. He nodded to Quan, but gave Vivi what he considered to be a very weird look.
I just hope people don’t eat other people like fish do!
He knew that was a rather silly thought, so he laughed. Treno wasn’t that bad so far. It was nice, actually, with all the lights and things. Just as long as he stayed with Quan there was nothing to worry about.
He walked inside after his Grandpa, and they went down a hallway into a room filled with shelves.
"Hey, Quan." A young brown-haired man called from behind the counter. "I’m watching the shop for my master today."
"Ah, hello Tom. I just come to get few things."
"Just ask if you need help." Tom said, going back to organizing some things. Then he spotted Vivi. "Hey, who’s the little guy with you?"
"Oh, this Vivi!" he said, a touch of pride in his voice. "I told you about him. Today his birthday, and he always want come to city."
Tom smiled at the little mage. "Well, happy birthday, Vivi."
"Th-thanks…" he said shyly. "Grandpa, you know him?"
"Of course. I shop here a lot, and he works for man who own store. He also nice person, I know him for long time."
"Oh."
"Hey, Vivi." Tom called.
"Y-yeah?"
"Quan’s told us a lot about you. You sound like a great kid. And just so you know, since I’m a friend of Quan’s and all, if you ever need help, don’t hesitate to ask. Er, try to find me first, though. My master isn’t always the most helpful fellow." He laughed a bit.
"Th-thank you, Mr. Tom."
"Just Tom’s fine."
Vivi nodded, and went to where his Grandpa was looking at things on shelves. He started browsing too. There were potions and antidotes and things like that. He spotted a few weapons in cases.
Then he heard something out in the hall. It sounded like people talking. He looked up to see a small face look into the room, then suddenly vanish.
I wonder who that was?
He looked back to see Quan speaking to Tom. He didn’t think it would hurt anything, so he stepped out into the hallway. At first he didn’t see anyone, and was startled when he spotted two figures standing to the left.
They were two boys, and both looked like they were around 12. They were dressed in rather raggedy clothes, and their hair was uncombed. One was taller than the other, and both had blonde hair under their hats.
Are they kids like me? Gee, I wonder if I should say something…
"Um… h-hello." He managed to say after a moment.
The two boys exchanged glances before looking back at him.
I don’t like the way they’re looking at me… I hope they’re not thieves!
"What do you think it is?" one boy suddenly asked the other.
"How the hell should I know? It came in with that Quan guy, so who knows."
"Hey, what’s your name?" the first boy asked, leaning closer.
"Er, u-um… V-vivi." He stuttered, suddenly feeling very nervous. "M-my name’s Vivi."
"That’s a funny name." The first boy scratched his head.
The second grinned. "You’re new here, ain’tcha?"
"Um, this is my f-first time in Treno…" he said quietly, looking down at his gloved hands.
I shouldn’t have to be so shy… But I can’t help it, I don’t know how to act or anything…
"You with that freak Quan?" the second guy asked.
What? Why’d he say something mean like that? We never did anything to him…
"H-he’s not a freak." He said, trying to put some force into his voice. He didn’t do very well.
"Whatever." The second boy shrugged. He studied Vivi for a moment. "Hey, whoa, what’s with his eyes?" he asked his friend.
"I dunno’, what?"
"Look at ‘em, they’re all glowin’ n’ stuff! Damn that’s weird!"
Vivi shrank away from the two boys as they tried to get a better look.
I really don’t like this… I wanna go back to Grandpa!
He tried to go past the two boys, but now they were between him and the door.
"Vivi, why don’t you take off the hat." The second boy said it as a command.
"Yeah, why’re you hiding under there?" the first boy laughed.
Vivi clutched the brim of his hat with the hand not holding his staff and shook his head. "I don’t wanna’…"
The second boy turned to the first. "You hold ‘im, I’ll grab the hat. And anything he may have of value." Both boys laughed.
Oh no no… I shouldn’t have left, now something bad’s gonna’ happen… What do I do? Maybe I should run past them?
Before he could make a decision, the first boy lunged at him. Vivi dodged to one side, and the first one tried grabbing his jacket, but instead got a hold of the staff. With a quick jerk he yanked it from Vivi’s hand.
"H-hey!" he protested.
The first boy laughed, holding the staff up higher than Vivi could reach. "If ya’ want it, come get it!" With that, the two boys took off running.
Th-they stole my present!
He stood in shock for several seconds, unsure what to do. Should he tell Quan, or chase after them?
They might get away if I tell Grandpa… I need to get it back!
He ran as fast as his short legs could carry him outside. He saw one of the boys vanish up the steps the way they had come. Vivi chased after, but by the time he reached the top, the boys were gone.
"No…" he cried, hanging his head. He looked around, and saw a tower to his right, and where they had first entered to the left. He went left. There were only two guards standing there, along with a young girl and a well-dressed older couple who were chatting by the fountain.
Maybe they saw them go by…
He walked to the little girl, who looking like she was pretty bored.
"Um… e-excuse me?" he began timidly. She looked over and smiled.
"Hello." She said, smoothing out the front of her dress. "How do you do?" "I-I’m fine, thanks…"
This girl sounds real nice. A lot better than those two boys…
"D-did you see two boys run past here?"
She nodded. "They went over into the bad part of town. My mommy and daddy say I can’t go there. They say I can’t talk to the kids from there, either. Are you from there?"
"N-no, I don’t live here…"
The girl looked like she was about to say something, but she was interrupted as the woman from the chatting couple yanked her away from Vivi.
"How many times need I remind you, you do not associate with those people!" she scolded.
"Mother, he doesn’t even live here!" the girl said angrily. "Don’t be so rude!"
"Don’t speak to me that way, young lady. Now you go sit over with your father." She said, pushing the girl in the direction. Then the woman directed her glare at Vivi. He swallowed hard, looking up at her from under his hat.
"S-sorry miss…" he tried to apologize, but the women just ‘hmphed’ and turned away.
Wow, people can act so different… I wonder why some of them are nice, and some of them act so mean? I guess that’s why Grandpa didn’t want to take me here, because of the people who’d be mean…
The little mage went to the path on the right this time. The surroundings on that side of town were vastly different. The buildings looked sturdy, but were much less fancy, and in a greater state of disrepair. Not to mention all the shady looking people roaming about...
Vivi took a deep breath, adjusted his hat, and walked further down the street. He didn’t see any sign of the two boys, and was beginning to wonder if he’d ever see that staff again… He began getting very nervous, clutching the sides of his hat.
I shouldn’t of come… I shoulda’ asked Grandpa for help… Now somethin’ really bad’s gonna happen…
He looked around nervously, expecting someone to jump out at him or something.
I shouldn’t be too paranoid though…
He saw a man working behind a stand near him, and walked over.
"Um, e-excuse me sir?" he said quietly. The man didn’t hear him. "Sir?" he said a little louder. The man looked up. "U-um… have y-you seen two boys, uh, one of them is carrying a wood staff?"
The man scratched his head in thought. "Yeah, I think I seen something like that. I think I see ‘em over that way." He pointed toward one of the houses.
"Th-thank you, sir." He said, nodding. Though he wasn’t sure how he was going to get his staff back, he walked over there. The house looked about the same as all the others, and he saw lights in the upper windows. The door was open, or rather it had fallen off its hinges. He was about to peek inside, but suddenly lost what little nerve he had managed to gather.
I should probably go back and get Grandpa… That’s a really good idea. Yeah, I’ll go-
His train of thought was interrupted as he was suddenly tackled from behind. He and his assailant went tumbling into the house, and Vivi found himself pinned to the floor by the taller of the two boys.
Oh no…
The second boy appeared behind the first, brandishing the staff. "We knew you’d come lookin’ for it."
Now Vivi saw three other children of different ages, all wearing raggy clothes. There were two younger boys and a young girl.
"Aw, come on, leave ‘im alone." the young girl insisted. "He didn’t hurt no one.’
"We just wanna’ see what’s under that hat, that’s all." The first boy shrugged.
"What kind of kid is he?" another boy asked.
"It doesn’t look like he has a face…" the other remarked.
Why are they being like this…? What did I do to them?
Vivi felt like crying again. He couldn’t understand at all why the two boys were being mean to him. Quan had taught him how he should be polite to people he met. Weren’t other people taught the same?
Quan had neglegted to tell the little mage what he should do if he ever got in trouble. Vivi relied on the Qu for protection, since he really had no way of defending himself. He had yet to figure out how to use the magic Quan had said black mages could use…
People must really be like those animals I saw, except they hurt for no reason…
"See if he has any money." One boy urged.
"I doubt it, I think he lives with that weird Quan guy." The tall blonde boy said distastefully.
"That guy freaks me out. Way too weird."
"Huh, this little guy’s weird too."
I don’t understand… Why are they saying these things about Grandpa and me? They don’t need to be so mean…
"Well come on, take the damn hat off." The second boy told the first.
"Yeah, yeah."
Vivi felt tears coming to his eyes again, and fought not to cry. The little girl spoke up again.
"Look, you’re makin’ him upset! Just leave him alone, he’s just a kid. How’d you like if someone was pickin’ on you like that?"
At least not all of them are bad…
"Have you ever seen a kid like that? Come on, I just want to see if he even has a face!" the second boy argued.
"It doesn’t matter, now just let him GO!" she shouted angrily. The boy flinched a bit.
The first boy let go of Vivi’s arms. "So, do I or don’t I?"
The little girl and the second blonde boy began arguing. The boy sighed. "Jeez…"
He let go… What should I do, though? Am I gonna’ have to fight them?
He remembered the small crab from the beach, getting it’s shell taken. It hadn’t fought back, and so it lost it’s home…
But I don’t know what to do… Grandpa always says not to hurt anyone. But I don’t think they’ll listen if I ask them…
"How do I know you guys ain’t gonna go beat ‘im half to death up after you take off his hat? That’s what you tried to do to that old guy!"
"We aren’t gonna beat him half to death… he’s so shrimpy, I think a quarter of the way’ll do." The boy laughed at his ‘joke’, along with one of the younger boys. The girl scowled at both of them, and the younger one shrank away.
"You are a big stupid bully!"
At least that girl’s sticking up for me…B-but are they saying they’re gonna’ hurt me?
"What if that Quan guy comes after us?" another guy asked. "He might, you know, eat us or something."
"We’ll beat him up too!" the second boy snapped angrily. "Now hurry up and take his damn hat off!"
Vivi had heard more than enough. He was scared, but he started to feel something else…
They’re threatening Grandpa and me… They have no right to do that… But I don’t know what I can do…
The boy who had him pinned backed away a bit for some reason. "Um, guys?"
"I won’t stand and let you guys do this!" the girl shouted.
"Then leave." The second boy said simply. "Or we’ll make ya’ leave."
"Guys!" he said more insistently.
"What?"
"Somethin’ weird’s happening. Look at his eyes!"
Vivi’s eyes had started glowing much brighter for some reason.
I need to do something… I want to do something… What can I do?
He felt it slightly at first. Something felt… funny… inside him. It was strange, he had never felt it before. He could hardy describe it.
What is this…? It’s feels like some… power… I don’t understand…
"Just get his hat." The boy said again.
"He’s doing somethin’." Another boy said. "What’s he doin’?"
They had no right to be so mean…
He stood up, lifting his hands in front of him, almost unconsciously.
I don’t want them to hurt me…
Vivi felt the weird power grow tremendously. He knew he could control it, though he didn’t know what it was. As the children watched, suddenly a complex pattern of circles and arcane symbols appears in the air around the small mage. His eyes flashed brightly, and from his gloved hands red flickering flames burst forth. The group of kids screamed and dodged away as the fire shot out, barely missing all of them, and instead setting the carpet in the room ablaze.
"Oh shit, let’s get out of here!" one of the boys shouted. The group ran past the flames and out of the door.
Vivi didn’t remember leaving the building, but the next he knew, he was standing outside, watching as several people rushed over with buckets of water to douse the flames.
…What happened? What did I do…?
He looked down at his gloved hands, expected them to look charred from the fire that had just been released from them. But they, and the rest of him, were unscathed.
Was that… magic?
I can use magic?
He felt an almost giddy happiness rush over him. He had used magic! Without even knowing how, he had! He couldn’t wait to tell Quan!
His excited thoughts were interrupted as he remembered what had almost happened.
Those other kids… I didn’t hurt them, did I?
He looked around frantically. Were they still inside the burning building?
Vivi suddenly had a horrifying image of the group of them, set on fire by his hand…
No no no…
He shook his head, trying to rid himself of that image. They had wanted to hurt him, but he didn’t wish that kind of fate on anyone…
Vivi whirled around as he heard a noise, and was relieved to see the group of children. They were all watching him, their faces pale. He heard some of them quietly say things to each other, which he could almost make out.
"…did he use magic?"
"…only monsters n’ stuff could…"
"…it came from his hands…"
"…gonna’ use fire on us?"
There was a clatter next to him. He looked to see his staff.
"T-take it back." The second boy who had thrown it said nervously. "We’re real sorry we took it."
He apologized…
"Thank you…" he began to walk towards them, but halted when the children backed away.
Are they… afraid of me?
"Just don’t burn us or nothin!" another boy called out.
"I don’t wanna burn anyone…" Vivi tried to tell them, but they must not of heard him.
"Let’s get the hell out of here…" the second boy said, and the group quickly dispersed. For a moment, the one little girl remained, watching Vivi with concern in her eyes, until another child grabbed her arm and dragged her away.
I didn’t mean to try and hurt anyone… I didn’t hurt anyone! Why are they afraid? They’re the ones who were gonna’ hurt me…
He picked up the staff from the ground. He saw the last of the fire be put out in the house.
I shouldn’t of left the store… Grandpa’s gonna’ be worried now…
The young mage stood there for quite some time, his head lowered, until he felt a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Vivi?" It was Quan.
"I’m s-sorry I wondered off…" Vivi said quietly. "A l-lot of bad stuff happened…"
"I just glad Vivi safe. We should go home now. You tell all about then."
"Okay Grandpa…"
Note: Okay, in explanation of the whole thing in Treno… Well, one thing that always stuck out in my mind from the game was that Vivi says Puck was the first friend he ever made. So I needed to think of why didn’t Vivi ever make friends during those 9 years before the game. ::sniff:: Poor Vivi… Don’t worry, I’ll try and have some more happy stuff happen in the next part! ^_^